Maverick architects: Success in nontraditional careers

The career experience of 64 architects in nontraditional careers--"MAVERICKS"--were examined with specific attention to the vectors of compensation and satisfaction.; By a combination of survey and case research methods, the study examined these issues: What work are the MAVERICK architects doing? Why did they leave their traditional architectural roles? How close or far are they from traditional practice? Has architecture helped in their work? Do they point to new and/or desirable areas of professional opportunity for architects? What might be the implications for the architectural profession? What might be the implications for architectural education?; Two distinct and negatively related groups were found to characterize the MAVERICKS--"Seekers" whose orientation is toward reflection, invention and aesthetics; and "Solvers" whose orientation is toward tasks, technology and results.; Only about one-third of the MAVERICKS are involved in building design or construction, yet most credited their architectural education or experience as useful in their careers.; The theory is advanced that the Seeker-Solver model reflects in microcosm the characteristic and problematic dichotomy of the architectural profession, and as such represents a useful framework for consideration of the profession and architectural education in general.